Thrombocytopenia

What Is Thrombocytopenia?

Thrombocytopenia (pronounced: throm-buh-sye-tuh-PEE-nee-uh) is when there are fewer
than normal platelets in the bloodstream. Platelets are tiny colorless cells in the
blood that help the blood clot. Like all blood
cells, platelets are made in the bone marrow (the spongy inner part of bones).

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Thrombocytopenia?

A person with a platelet count that is only a little low may not have any symptoms.
But if the count drops low enough, someone might have one or more of these problems:

If thrombocytopenia is diagnosed, more tests are done to figure out what's causing
it. The tests needed depend on the person's
medical history
, the exam results, and what the blood test shows.

Sometimes, doctors order a biopsy to get
a sample of bone marrow for testing and to check under a microscope.

How Is Thrombocytopenia Treated?

The treatment for thrombocytopenia depends on:

what's causing it

how low the platelet count is

whether or not there is bleeding

Sometimes no treatment is needed and the thrombocytopenia clears up on its own.
But some types need medical treatment to raise the platelet count to a safer level
and to treat the underlying cause.

Thrombocytopenia is usually treated by a
hematologist
, a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating blood disorders.

What Else Should I Know?

Most of the time, thrombocytopenia either goes away on its own or can be treated
successfully. But anyone with a low platelet count should take care to avoid injuries,
especially to the head, because of the risk of bleeding.

If you have thrombocytopenia, the doctor will tell you which activities are safe
and which to avoid. You also shouldn't take medicines that contain ibuprofen (such
as Motrin or Advil) or aspirin because these can increase the risk of bleeding.